Overview
Grade: E
Total time: 40 mins
Climbing time: 20 mins
Approach time: 5 mins
Exit time: 15 mins
Climbing the 'Via Ferrata - Le Fond des Cris – Chaudfontaine 2' in Chaudfontaine, Belgium, is an experience reserved for those seeking a true test of their limits. Graded 'E', this isn't just a hike with cables; it's a demanding, exhilarating, and highly exposed vertical adventure.
From the outset, the route commands respect. Climbers are immediately confronted with long, often overhanging sections requiring considerable upper body strength and unwavering mental fortitude. The exposure above the Vesdre river is constant, with every handhold and foothold placement feeling critical.
Expect a sustained workout. The route features a series of steep ladders, exposed traverses, and sections where the iron rungs seem to disappear, leaving you to trust the cable and your own grip. It's a relentless climb, pushing climbers physically and psychologically.
This via ferrata is definitely not for beginners or those prone to vertigo. Essential equipment includes a harness, a via ferrata lanyard with energy absorber, and a helmet. Safety checks are paramount.
Completing Fond des Cris 2 is incredibly rewarding. The panoramic views of the valley and the immense sense of accomplishment after conquering such a formidable route make every strained muscle and every moment of apprehension worthwhile. It's a thrilling testament to human endurance and courage.